[*]Institute for Fiscal Studies warns tax will have to rise for NHS to keep running [*]It warns spending on healthcare will have to increase by 3.3% over next 15 years[*]Ageing population, more complex illnesses and rising cost of drugs are to blame

And I pretty much always value comments from people in the know, with inside knowledge, rather than links to articles.

I have seen how more and more elderly end up being stuck in hospital. With little for many to be discharged and have the proper care needed for them and this is only getting worse. We have an aging population and this is only going to get worse. We really need to have a re-think about the NHS. As we are falling behind many countries when it comes to care and saving lives.

I know you appreciate that and again more than most. I wish I was more like that at times, but even I fall foul of being skeptical of claims made by people.

And I pretty much always value comments from people in the know, with inside knowledge, rather than links to articles.

I have seen how more and more elderly end up being stuck in hospital. With little for many to be discharged and have the proper care needed for them and this is only getting worse. We have an aging population and this is only going to get worse. We really need to have a re-think about the NHS. As we are falling behind many countries when it comes to care and saving lives.

I know you appreciate that and again more than most. I wish I was more like that at times, but even I fall foul of being skeptical of claims made by people.

Well, I tend to take people at face value and believe their experiences.My mum worked for the NHS for years - you and I have talked about this - and she said pretty much the same thing.

_________________“Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted”― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tommy Monk wrote:It is a diet that is needed, out with the junk food, and lose a load of the unnecessary dead weight!!!

I quite agree. What you are talking about is a reapportionment of priorities. But you want to go only so far, tommy. If we’re going to have a real diet, let’s go all the way. You want only some elements of society to have to give…have the courage of your convictions and make all elements have to adjust.

What we spend on is ridiculous. The NHS exists for the protection of people. Yet, we spend the vast preponderance of our wealth on our military, which proportedly exists for the protection of our people. What on earth is the difference? So, if we simply readjusted our priorities at a more fundamental level, we could easily manage.

What is the difference between the enemy at our borders from the enemy within us? The enemy at our borders have the same frailities and illnesses…perhaps if we helped them with their health needs, they could be friends at our borders. Then, if there are any enemies left, they would help us rather than opposing us. The money saved that would otherwise go into a gigantic and costly military apparatus, could then be put into good use curing known and unknown illnesses. That would be a much more efficient use of our wealth than wasting it on the vacuum of enmity.